Murder, mystery and mayhem at Mill Theatre

“EXPECT the unexpected!” exclaims Rathfarnham’s Brian Molloy, director of The Balally Players’ latest production.

The Balally Players bring mystery, comedy and suspense to the dlr Mill Theatre in Dundrum from November 11 to 14, with a production of ‘Cluedo’, the much-loved whodunnit comedy.

Based on the popular board game and cult classic film, ‘Cluedo’ invites audiences into the shadowy world of Boddy Manor, where six suspicious guests, a mysterious host and an assortment of weapons set the scene for a madcap murder mystery.

With aliases, secret motives and plenty of unexpected twists, the race is on to uncover the killer before the body count rises.

But with everyone hiding something, can anyone be trusted?

Directed by Molloy and written by Sandy Rustin based on the original screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, this fast-paced comedy promises an entertaining theatrical night out, keeping audiences guessing right up to the final reveal.

The production boasts a talented cast, including William Anglim, who plays Reverend Green, and Sean T. Daly, who plays Bobby, with both actors hailing from Rathfarnham.

William describes Green as a “timid and anxious man of the cloth” who thinks of himself as morally upright but is “far less respectable than you would think”.

Meanwhile, Sean explains that his character, Bobby, is an English policeman who’s investigating an abandoned car but “suspects there may be more to the house party than meets the eye”.

Brian reflects that working with the “incredible” cast has “easily” been a highlight, with William explaining “we bounce off eachother and once the laughs start, they’re hard to get rid of”.

In the more intimate setting of the dlr Mill theatre, the group have had to be more “creative” when it comes to presenting the world of Boddy Manor from ‘Cluedo’, according to Brian.

This is because adaptations of books, films or board games for the stage are usually designed to be performed on large stages.

William finds the biggest challenges for him are “nailing the timing” without it seeming too forced or chaotic and trying not to break character laughing in rehearsals.

Sean cites his biggest obstacles as learning lines and “trying to work out who the murderer is”.

After ‘Cluedo’, the next production by Ballaly Players is the annual Christmas Show, which is a festive evening of carols, comedy, songs and stories at the Dundrum Parish centre from December 10 to 12.

Tickets will go on sale soon through Milltheatre.

In early 2027 the group will bring David Mamet’s ‘Glengarry Glenross’ on the all-Ireland, full-length drama circuit competition.

Next up for Sean is a play he wrote called ‘A State of Injustice’ about the true story of a murder in Tipperary in 1940, telling the tale of the first person to be posthumously pardoned by the state following his wrongful hanging.

For helping to make this production possible, Brian would like to thank the cast, as well as the crew who have worked on costumes, sound design, lighting, set building and design, props, and marketing.

William would like to thank director Brian, costume designer Dymphna, technical boss Aoife, his co-stars, and audiences who come to support the Balally Players’ productions.

Finally, Sean wishes to acknowledge the director and the committee as well as the “wonderful” writing originally by Johnathan Lynn and his {Sean’s} wife for “allowing me out to rehearsals”.

‘Cluedo’ runs at the dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum, from November 11 to 14, performing at 8pm each night, with a matinee performance on the last day at 2pm.

Tickets and booking information are available at milltheatre.ie/cluedo